Questions to ask a prospective doula
Author and childbirth educator, Penny Simkin,
suggests asking prospective doulas:
- What training have you
had?
- Tell me (us) about
your experience with birth, personally and as a doula.What is your
philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their partners
through labor?
- May we meet to discuss
our birth plans and the role you will play in supporting me (us)
through childbirth?
- May we call you with
questions or concerns before and after the birth?
- When do you try to
join women in labor?
- Do you come to our home or meet us at the
hospital?
- Do you meet with me
(us) after the birth to review the labor and answer questions?
- Do you work with one
or more backup doulas (for times when you are not available)?
- What is your fee?
Clarifying some misconceptions
Q. What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?
A. Midwives are medically trained providers of clinical care for pregnant women and their babies. Doulas have no medical responsibilities but are trained to provide emotional support, physical comfort measures and informational resources for women in labor.
Q. How effective are doulas at what they do?
A. In a recent national survey of women’s birth experiences, doulas were rated highest in terms of quality of supportive care during labor (www.maternitywise.org). Doulas were rated higher than family members, friends, nurses or physicians in providing emotional and physical support during labor and birth.
Q. Why would I have a doula when my loved one(s) will be at my birth? We want our labor and birth to be a private, intimate experience.
A. Your doula is not there to replace your loved ones, who know and love you better than anyone. For couples who want privacy and intimacy, sometimes a doula is the best way to ensure this. In long labors, you may have more than one nurse and the on-call care provider instead of your preferred one. Research has shown that when a doula is present, there are fewer interruptions by medical staff and more involvement by the partner. Your doula supports you and your loved ones by bringing refreshments and welcome relief during long labors (it’s not over as quickly as you see on TV!). She suggests position changes and comfort measures to reduce your discomfort and provide moral support to your loved ones. After all, it’s an emotional experience for them, too.
Q. I want an epidural as soon as I get to the hospital. How can a doula help me?
A. Sometimes after her epidural is placed a woman's support team and nurse take a break. Your doula stays by your side, keeping you connected and helping you cope with any side effects. Even when the physical pain of labor is lessened, there are still emotional and informational needs that your doula can meet.
Q. Why all the focus on our birth experience? If I’m healthy and the baby is healthy, isn’t that what matters?
A. Healthy outcomes for mothers and infants are what matters most. Part of a healthy outcome is your memory or feelings about how you were treated during labor. Sometimes birth can be scary, or confusing, even traumatic and these events impact your ability to cope with stress and discomfort, both during labor and in the weeks after the birth. Your doula can’t control what happens but she is committed to making your experience be as good as it can be. Consider your doula as an investment in your memories of becoming a mother and in your parenting relationship.
